Elsewhere, a 54-year-old Spanish man suffered fatal head injuries while working on a fishing vessel about 200 miles (322km) off Cork.

The accidents happened exactly six years to the day since five men lost their lives in another fishing tragedy. The Pere Charles, a 66ft (20m) trawler, also sank off the Waterford coast.

Mr Flynn, from Dunmore East, was killed when his boat capsized off Brownstown Head, near Tramore. He and his friend, James Tate, had been fishing when they were thrown from the 16ft (5m) vessel into the water at around 5.30am.

Both men were wearing lifejackets, but only Mr Tate, also in his 40s, made it to shore. It is understood he was forced to climb over rocks and cross sand dunes before raising the alarm about two hours later. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter pulled Mr Flynn from the water at 8.30am on Thursday.

A Garda spokesman said: "The victim is believed to have been in the water for more than two hours when he was found. He was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later."

Mr Tate was also taken to hospital, where he was treated for shock and hypothermia.

Later, a Garda spokesman confirmed that a Spanish national died at Cork University Hospital after being injured while working on a fishing vessel west of Ireland.

The incident happened at around midday on Thursday and the man was airlifted to hospital, where he died. The Garda spokesman said foul play was not suspected and the coroner had been informed of his death.